Baltic Defence College

10/08/2026

Today, we officially opened Academic Year 2026/2027 with a formal ceremony at BALTDEFCOL! While our opening ceremony took place today, our staff have been hard at work since early August getting everything ready to make this year an exceptional experience for everyone.

To all our incoming course participants across the Joint Command and General Staff Course (JCGSC), Civil Servants' Course (CSC), and the brand-new Reserve Officers' Course (ROC): congratulations on your selection! 🤩
Over the coming months, you will face new challenges, exchange ideas, and build friendships and professional networks that will last throughout your careers.

Welcome to Tartu and welcome to the Baltic Defence College! 🇪🇪 Enjoy the City of Good Thoughts, support one another, and make this year count! 🤝✨

📖 Read the full story here: https://baltdefcol.org/news/baltic-defence-college-opens-academic-year-2026-2027-with-new-leadership-and-expanded-curriculum

15/07/2026

The countdown is on! ⏳ In just about a month, our new students will begin their 11-month journey with us 🤩

To tackle the challenges of today's fast-paced world, arriving prepared makes all the difference.

To help you get ready, the graduates of our recent have shared their firsthand experiences and tips on utilising AI during their studies.

Don't wait until day one—dive into their recommendations now and set yourself up for success!

👉 Read the full article here:

AI in Academic Work: Insights from the Higher Command Studies Course June 03, 2026 On 4 June 2026, the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) continued its series on Artificial Intelligence (AI), this time focusing on practical experiences of AI use in academic work. Two participants from the Higher Co...

26/06/2026

We are proud to announce the publication of two new volumes in our 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗵𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀:
📕 Antanas Rukša – The Lithuanian Wars of Independence: The Polish Front (2025)
📕 Antanas Rukša – The Lithuanian Wars of Independence: Żeligowski's 'Mutiny' and its Aftermath, 1920–1923 (2026)

These books follow our first volume in the series: 📕 Kazys Ališauskas's The Lithuanian Wars of Independence 1918–1920 (2024), which marked a milestone as the first comprehensive English-language account of Lithuania's armed struggle for independence.

The new volumes extend the story through the turbulent conflicts on the Polish Front and the chaotic events of General Żeligowski's seizure of Vilnius.

This ambitious project has been brought to fruition under the expert guidance and dedication of Lithuania's own Dr Asta Maskaliūnaitė, whose research and leadership have been instrumental in bringing these historical accounts to light.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions, 🇱🇹 Vice-Minister of National Defence of Lithuania, Dr Karolis Aleksa awarded Dr Maskaliūnaitė with a well-deserved medal during last week's change of command and graduation ceremony.

Bringing these works to an English-speaking audience fills a significant gap in the historiography of the region and ensures that Lithuania's military experience during this critical period takes its rightful place in the broader narrative of post-WWI European history.

All volumes are available as free EPUBs on the BALTDEFCOL Military History publications page:
🔗 👉 https://baltdefcol.org/research-and-publications/college-publications/military-history

19/06/2026

🎥 A recap of the events that will find its place in the history of the Baltic Defence College.

From celebrating the achievements of the Higher Command Studies Course, the Joint Command and General Staff Course and the Civil Servants’ Course 🎓 to witnessing the official Change of Command 🇱🇹➡️🇱🇻, the week reflected the traditions, partnerships, and values that continue to shape .

18/06/2026

As we conclude an incredible Academic Year 2025/2026, the recent traditional Staff Meeting serves as a powerful reminder of what makes an institution truly thrive: 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞.

Amid expanding course sizes, digital transformations, and closer-than-ever international cooperation, the true engine of growth remains the dedication of the staff and faculty.

A powerful quote from the Commandant perfectly encapsulates this: "𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤. 𝐈𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧."

Huge congratulations to Ms Kaisa-Liisa Jazõkov, Head of the HR and Administration Section, for earning this year's 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝!

Recognition like this reminds us that behind every successful leader, graduate, and milestone is a world-class team of professionals pushing forward together.

As was stated yesterday during the Change of Command Ceremony by the Vice-Minister of National Defence of Lithuania, Dr Karolis Aleksa: "[𝐓𝐡𝐞] 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝". 💎

Thank you to all faculty, coordinators, and support staff who make institutional excellence possible.

👉 Read more about the celebrations: https://baltdefcol.org/news/appreciating-staff-and-celebrating-a-successful-academic-year-2025-2026

17/06/2026

A historic milestone for Baltic defence cooperation took place in 🇪🇪 , as the Baltic Defence College hosted its official Change of Command Ceremony to hand over command from to .
🇱🇹 ⚔️ 🇱🇻

🎖️ A Legacy of Excellence: We extend our deepest gratitude to the outgoing Commandant, BG Alvydas Šiuparis, for his outstanding leadership, vision, and dedication to regional security over the past three years.

🇱🇻 Welcoming New Leadership: We proudly welcome incoming Commandant, BG Egils Leščinskis. BG Leščinskis brings a wealth of operational, planning, and defence education experience back to BALTDEFCOL, where he has previously served as a staff member and graduated from both our Joint Command and General Staff Course (JCGSC) and Higher Command Studies Course (HCSC).

👥 Senior Enlisted Handover: The ceremony also marked the transition of institutional custody between College Sergeants Major, as CSM Alvydas Tamosius handed over his duties to incoming Latvian CSM Didzis Baltins.

The event was honoured by high-level 🇪🇪 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 Baltic leadership, including Estonian Minister of Defence, Mr Hanno Pevkur; Latvian Minister of Defence, Mr Raivis Melnis; and Lithuanian Vice-Minister, Dr Karolis Aleksa.

As regional security dynamics continue to evolve, the framework nations reminded us of a core truth: "Who is next to you is more important than who is against you."

We wish the new leadership team fair winds as they guide the College into its next chapter of strategic education.

🔗 https://baltdefcol.org/news/baltic-defence-college-celebrates-2026-graduation-and-official-change-of-command

17/06/2026

Graduation! Graduation! Graduation! 🎓

It was an incredible day in as we celebrated the graduation of 104 exceptional leaders from 16 nations 🤩

After months of intensive, high-level professional military education, our graduates from the Higher Command Studies Course (HCSC), the Joint Command and General Staff Course (JCGSC), and the Civil Servants’ Course (CSC) are ready to tackle contemporary global security challenges.

The ceremony offered a moment to reflect on academic achievements, individual excellence, and the strong community that defines the College.

🏆 Best Faculty Members of the Year
We are incredibly proud to celebrate Dr George Spencer Terry and Mr Olavi Jänes, who were voted by the student body as the Best Faculty Members of the Year!
Thank you for your dedication to shaping the strategic minds of tomorrow. 🤝

💬 Inspiring Student Perspectives:
The student speeches highlighted both the professional and personal dimensions of the academic year.
🇩🇰 Colonel Hovgaard, speaking on behalf of the HCSC, reflected on the intense academic journey, the strategic insights developed, and the enduring value of the international professional network established at the College. 🇱🇹 Major Jasonas added that this success belongs equally to the families and loved ones whose unwavering support behind the scenes made this achievement possible. 🥰

We also congratulate all of our individual student award recipients who demonstrated outstanding research, academic performance, and leadership throughout the courses. 🤝

📣 To all graduates: You have built an invaluable multinational network and sharpened your strategic edge. We wish you every success as you return to your nations to outthink, outsmart, and outplay the security threats of tomorrow! 🚀

🔗 https://baltdefcol.org/news/baltic-defence-college-celebrates-2026-graduation-and-official-change-of-command

16/06/2026

Our Information Manager recently sat down with Brigadier General Alvydas Šiuparis as he prepares to hand over command after three successful years at the Baltic Defence College. 🤝

In this farewell interview, we look back at the key moments, unique challenges, and major achievements of his time in Tartu. Read now how he reflects on the College’s rapid development, our closer cooperation with international partners and Ukraine, and our digital transformation journey.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔! 🇪🇪 🇱🇻 🇱🇹

👇 Read the full feature here:
https://baltdefcol.org/news/looking-back-on-three-years-in-command-a-farewell-interview-with-bg-siuparis

14/06/2026

Learning directly from the decision-makers! 🕵️‍♂️🛡️

Our 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐂𝐎𝐋 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬’ 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 international study trip continues! To get a first-hand look at how multinational headquarters and allies cooperate, our cohorts are moving forward along their parallel European routes.

Here is how their latest engagements unfolded on the ground:
🇮🇹 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤: 🎓 NATO Defense College (NDC)
The visit focused on the NDC’s vital mission of preparing future leaders through strategic education on transatlantic security. A major highlight was an engaging discussion on the security challenges facing NATO's Eastern flank, led by Senior Researcher Dr Olesya Vinhas de Souza.

🇩🇪🇳🇱🇧🇪 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤: 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐄 & 𝐒𝐎𝐅𝐂𝐎𝐌
Meanwhile, our central group spent a dynamic day in Belgium visiting two key installations. At Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), they received comprehensive briefings on the current security landscape and international cooperation. Following this, at NATO Allied SOF Command, the delegation was briefed on operational vision, future direction, and the partnership programmes essential for achieving unity of effort across the Alliance.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all our hosts, presenters, and researchers at NDC, SHAPE, and SOFCOM for their time, professionalism, and exceptional hospitality! 🙌

*Photo by NDC